*Note: images below come from YouTube and CoD Wiki.Raul Menendez is the sadistic, drug-dealing villain of Call of Duty: Black Ops. Strangely, he is also known as the “Messiah” in-game.
Is this so strange? Is there something deeper we are missing?
Let’s look a bit closer at this Messiah…
Hey guys, I just wanted to give you all an update on what’s happening behind the scenes at Video Games and the Bible:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
With the Lord’s blessing, when the season for Video Games and the Bible returns, It will come back better than ever. Stay tuned.
Your Friend,
Nelson
Several months ago, I published a short study on superheroes being gods. I intended to do a long series of articles devoted to this subject, but found that I needed to continue working in the field God gave me a passion for-video games. However, I did pray that someone would eventually do a biblical study on superheroes and comic books.
Fast forward to July 18, 2013. On this day, Pastor Mike Hoggard started what would become a four part series on that exact subject. If you would like biblical information on superheroes and/or comics, please check it out:
*Note: images below come from YouTube and BioShock Wiki unless otherwise noted.Before our upcoming examination into BioShock Infinite, we’ll take a look at one of the inhabitants of Rapture-the Wader.
The Wader
Wearing a mask of human skin, the Wader has been driven insane like most of the people of Rapture. However, unlike them, the Wader seems to have a belief in God, and his statements have a lot to show us about Rapture and the world of BioShock.
_______________________________
In our last article, we looked at the Wader and the City of Rapture. Now, we’ll finish going through some more of the Wader’s interesting quotes, and tie all of these threads together.
The Locust Horde are the antagonists of the Gears of War (abbreviated GOW) series. Since their introduction in 2006, they have become iconic. Starting with the release of Gears of War 3 in 2011, players eagerly assumed control over various Locust warriors in Beast mode, and in the OverRun mode found in Gears of War: Judgement.
Incidentally, the Locust Horde are incredibly similar to the locusts found in Revelation…
*Note: images below come from YouTube and BioShock Wiki unless otherwise noted.Before our upcoming examination into BioShock Infinite, we’ll take a look at one of the inhabitants of a city called Rapture (the setting of BioShock 1 and 2)-the Wader.
The Wader
Wearing a mask of human skin, the Wader has been driven insane like most of the people of Rapture. However, unlike them, the Wader seems to have a belief in God, and his statements have a lot to show us about Rapture and the world of BioShock.
*Note: images below come from YouTube and Zelda Wiki.*Please read the original Triforce article before continuing.
We’ll start off by looking at prayer within the game.
During the intro sequence of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, we see people bowing down, praying to, and worshiping the Triforce.
“They lavish gold out of the bag [As the official Hyrule Historia says, the Triforce is composed of “golden triangles“], and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.” (Isaiah 46:6)
To even do something basic like save your progress, you must offer prayers to the goddess Hylia. This is done by saying prayers at bird statues located throughout the world of Skyward Sword. The player is taught to do this near the beginning of the game.
“Hey, you haven’t already forgotten to send your prayers to the goddess this morning, have you?“
“Just face the bird statue over there and say a short prayer to save your progress.“
“As you know, those bird statues are all over Skyloft. It’s about time you get in the habit of stoppin’ at a statue every time you run by one.“
“A prayer in time saves nine, if you know what I’m sayin’!“
The transcript:
“Hey, you haven’t already forgotten to send your prayers to the goddess this morning, have you? Just face the bird statue over there and say a short prayer to save your progress. As you know, those bird statues are all over Skyloft. It’s about time you get in the habit of stoppin’ at a statue every time you run by one. A prayer in time saves nine, if you know what I’m sayin’!“
Additionally, Fi (Link’s companion) says:
“This bird statue contains significant sacred power. If you offer prayers through it, you can make a record of your quest progress.”
“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:2-3)
“As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17)
“(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by; And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)” (Deuteronomy 29:16-17)
“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 26:1)
Your objective at the beginning of the game is to find your Loftwing and win a competition to be able to engage in the Wing Ceremony. To do this, you must chase a bird and take a statuette out of its talons.
“You got the Bird Statuette! It proves your victory today. Wait till Zelda sees this!“
A better view of the Bird Statuette
The first step of the Wing Ceremony is for the player to offer the Bird Statuette to the goddess.
“Link, hand me that Bird Statuette you grabbed in the race. I must offer it to the goddess.“
She then places the offering in a small altar embedded in the Statue of the Goddess.
Transcript:
“Link, hand me that Bird Statuette you grabbed in the race. I must offer it to the goddess.”
“Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.” (Psalm 96:7-8)
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-20)
“Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offereth in the high places [check out where Zelda gives her offering below], and him that burneth incense to his gods.” (Jeremiah 48:35)
A high place.
Zelda then begins to bless Link in the name of the goddess:
As you can see, Zelda and Link are praying atop a statue of the goddess Hylia.
“Great goddess, guiding light and protector of our people, grant us your blessing and mercy as I act in your stead during this ceremony.“
Transcript:
“Great goddess, guiding light and protector of our people, grant us your blessing and mercy as I act in your stead during this ceremony.”
“And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:20-22)
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
“O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.” (Nehemiah 1:11)
Continuing to the actual blessing Zelda says:
“Valiant youth who grasped victory at the celebration of the bird folk… In accordance with the old ways…“
“I now bestow the blessings of the goddess upon you.“
“The blessings of the goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you.“
The transcript:
“Valiant youth who grasped victory at the celebration of the bird folk… In accordance with the old ways… I now bestow the blessings of the goddess upon you. The blessings of the goddess drift down from the heavens aloft a sail, which I now pass on to you.”
“For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” (Exodus 32:29)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)
Much later, Link must pray to the Triforce to defeat the villain of the game, Demise.
“Master, I believe at this juncture that a prayer is required. The ultimate goal we have traveled so far for is now within reach.“
“Focus now, and wish with all your might for the destruction of Demise.“
“Master Link, I have news.
I have confirmed that the Isle of the Goddess, which was formerly a part of Skyloft, has returned to the surface.“
“Furthermore, I have detected the successful eradication of Demise. Your prayers to the Triforce have been heard.“
The transcript:
“Master, I believe at this juncture that a prayer is required. The ultimate goal we have traveled so far for is now within reach. Focus now, and wish with all your might for the destruction of Demise.“
After Link prays, the golden triangles of the Triforce come together and glow with a blinding light. The island Link was on then falls down through the cloud barrier of Skyloft to the Surface.
Continuing:
“Master Link, I have news. I have confirmed that the Isle of the Goddess, which was formerly a part of Skyloft, has returned to the surface. Furthermore, I have detected the successful eradication of Demise. Your prayers to the Triforce have been heard.“
“The workman melteth a graven image [an idol], and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.” (Isaiah 40:19)
“The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.” (Isaiah 44:13-17)
“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.” (Isaiah 45:19-20)
The instance of prayer you will see next directly ties into the issue of the goddess.
Before praying to the Triforce near the end of the game, Link met Zelda again (she had been kidnapped earlier on). She tells Link what she was doing during his abscence:
[The character pictured is Impa, “an agent of the goddess,” while the person speaking is Zelda.] “The day of the [wing] ceremony, Ghirahim’s tornado tossed me out of the sky and down to the world below.“
“I was nearly captured by the demonic forces, but I was rescued at the last moment by the old woman [a future Impa] who lives in the Sealed Grounds.“
“I had no memory at all of my existence as Hylia, but she explained it to me. She helped me to remember who I was…and what I had to do.“
“I set out to pray at the goddess statues located in each temple across the land.“
“Each statue stirred up memories within me. After I visited them all, Impa, an agent of the goddess, led me here…to the past.“
The full transcript:
“The day of the [wing] ceremony, Ghirahim’s tornado tossed me out of the sky and down to the world below. I was nearly captured by the demonic forces, but I was rescued at the last moment by the old woman [a future Impa] who lives in the Sealed Grounds. I had no memory at all of my existence as Hylia, but she explained it to me. She helped me to remember who I was…and what I had to do. I set out to pray at the goddess statues located in each temple across the land. Each statue stirred up memories within me. After I visited them all, Impa, an agent of the goddess, led me here…to the past.”
Notice that Zelda said, “I had no memory at all of my existence as Hylia“, “She helped me to remember who I was” and “Each statue stirred up memories within me.”
What does Zelda mean by all this? Some of her other statements make things clear:
“In order to put an end to the demon king, Hylia devised two separate plans and set them both into motion.“
“Her second plan…was to abandon her divine form and transfer her soul to the body of a mortal.“
Transcript:
“Her second plan…was to abandon her divine form and transfer her soul to the body of a mortal.”
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.“(Philippians 2:5-8)
“…She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used.“
“For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by the gods, all of its power can never be wielded by one.“
“Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form.“
Transcript:
“…She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used. For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by the gods, all of its power can never be wielded by one. Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form.”
This thread continues:
“You’ve probably figured it out by now, haven’t you Link?“
“You are the chosen hero, and I, Zelda…“
“I am the goddess reborn as a mortal.“
“…She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used. For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by the gods, all of its power can never be wielded by one. Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form.”
“You’ve probably figured it out by now, haven’t you Link? You are the chosen hero, and I, Zelda… I am the goddess reborn as a mortal.”
“In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, [Note that Jesus, while he was made flesh, did not lose his power] (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
Zelda then blesses Link herself:
“Valiant hero, you have endured many hardships and journeyed far in your quest to reach this place.“
“May it give you and your sword the strength to drive back the abomination that threatens this land!“
“Along your travels you have found wisdom, power, and courage, and for this I shall bless your sword with the goddess’s power.“
“The goddess has blessed your blade, and the Master Sword has at last achieved its true form!“
“Valiant hero, you have endured many hardships and journeyed far in your quest to reach this place. Along your travels you have found wisdom, power, and courage, and for this I shall bless your sword with the goddess’s power. May it give you and your sword the strength to drive back the abomination that threatens this land!
Link then thrusts his sword into the air and a message displays saying:
“The goddess has blessed your blade, and the Master Sword has at last achieved its true form!”
Notice that the game makes no distinction between Zelda and the goddess herself, making them essentially one. Another scene shows us this same concept:
“And so Hylia…I mean, and so I…“
“And so Hylia…I mean, and so I…”
[Jesus speaking] “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
I and my Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
A final scene:
“While it’s true that I am Hylia reborn, I’m still my father’s daughter and your friend…“
“While it’s true that I am Hylia reborn, I’m still my father’s daughter and your friend…”
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
[Jesus speaking] “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:13-15)
So, in this article alone, we see the worship of false gods by main characters, prayer to idols and “another Jesus” in the form of the reborn goddess Zelda.
Two final verses addressing both the subjects of the worshiping of false gods and idols, and Zelda the goddess:
“I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8)
“And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.
In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 6:3-7)
“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” (Luke 21:8)
In Part 1: Himiko, we examined the god of the Solarii Brotherhood. In Part 2: Father Mathias, we looked at the beliefs of Father Mathias, and the founding of the Solarii. In Part 3: The Solarii, we did an in-depth examination of the Solarii themselves. In Part 4: Another Spirit, we saw how all of the previous articles are tied with Another Spirit.
In Part 5, we will encounter an interesting challenge given to the player…
_______________________________________________
In several places, we see Himiko in poses that are similar to common depictions of Jesus Christ (particularly in Catholic iconography).
Notice the outstretched arms, upturned palms, halo encircling the head and beams emanating from it.
Notice the slightly bent head, outstretched arms, upturned palms, halo encircling the head and beams emanating from it.
Additionally, there is a challenge titled “Non-Believer.” To complete it, you must burn posters depicting Himiko in the same poses seen above.
The poster itself.
The poster being burned by the player.
“He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)
“I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” (Jude 1:5)
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized [by the Holy Spirit] shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16)
Completing this challenge gives you experience points to upgrade your character, along with progression towards an achievement (and/or trophy depending on what system you are using).
The defacing of images like those representative of Jesus Christ is clearly rewarded.
As a result, the player is “honored” with the title of Non-Believer.
In Part 1: Himiko, we examined the god of the Solarii Brotherhood. In Part 2: Father Mathias, we looked at the beliefs of Father Mathias, and the founding of the Solarii. In Part 3: The Solarii, we did an in-depth examination of the Solarii themselves. In Part 4, we will see how all of the previous articles are bound with Another Spirit.
_______________________________________________
When Lara enters the tomb of the Sun Queen Himiko, she finds a picture of her seemingly pouring water into the vessel of a priestess.
Naturally, Lara wonders what this means:
“Pouring water?“
“But why?“
Suddenly, the truth dawns upon her.
“Wait…It’s not pouring water, it’s transferring power.“
We get to see this transference of water/power in real-time at the end of the game.
Mathias says two very interesting things here:
“Rise, great Queen. Fill this vessel [Sam] with your spirit!”
“With the rain, may your soul seep in, filling the vessel.”
All this seemingly fragmented information comes together in a very shocking way when examined by the Bible.
Mathias said that “With the rain, may your soul seep in, filling the vessel.” and told Himiko to “Fill this vessel [Sam] with your spirit!”
Not only is the Holy Spirit compared to water in the Bible, but it is poured into and fills our vessels as well. Just look:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit [notice that the woman whose vessel was being poured into in the photo was a priestess]; and they shall prophesy:” (Acts 2:17-18)
“Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.” (Isaiah 32:15)
“But we have this treasure [the Spirit] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Lara realized that the water (spirit) being poured was a transference of power:
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you [the Holy Spirit]: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
The game itself proves that the power/spirit transfer is in the form of water, with it’s own graphics.
Notice that the particle effects used for a spirit and water are one and the same.
Notice that the particle effects used for a spirit and water are one and the same.
Notice that the particle effects used for a spirit and water are one and the same.
Notice that the particle effects used for a spirit and water are one and the same.
Lastly, you’ll notice in the pictures above and below, that what looked like a river of this water was flowing into Sam’s stomach from Himiko:
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (John 7:37-39)
In 2 Corinthians 11:4 Paul warns us of three threats:
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, [1] whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, [2] which ye have not received, or another gospel, [3] which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.“
In the first article for this game, we saw another Jesus in the form of Himiko. In the second and third article, we saw another gospel in the way of salvation preached by Father Mathias. And in this article, we see another spirit in the form of Himiko’s soul.
_______________________________________________
*Look out for Tomb Raider and the Bible Part 5: Non-Believer next week!
_______________________________________________
Today’s episode is about Alan Wake’s Old Gods of Asgard.
Video Games and the Bible Live #9-Alan Wake and the Old Gods of Asgard (Download)
___________________
Video Games and the Bible 